Tax clampdown on Brighton and Hove restaurants (From The Argus)

That's given the game away! I guess all the illegals will be squirrelled away out of sight now as well. And quell surprise B&H will get a gold star for compliance :)

So when are they going to go after the £120bn the big corporates avoid annually?

Answers on a tax return please...

They could also check out all the self employed workmen.

Including builders , roofers , plasterers etc .
nearly all want paying paid in cash ,

Their reason usually being
“we don’t get holiday pay and sick pay“.
So they don’t think they should declare all their money.
They don’t seem to consider the fact that they do use the national health service,

The thing is a lot of employees don’t go sick, and the workmen charge a lot more than the minimum wage .

If everybody paid their fair share of tax and national insurance ,the country would be better off.

Give us a phone number where readers can report cash in hand workmen.

Self -employed workmen have certain overheads like tools, their own van, public liability insurance, etc. And they spend their own time doing quotes, VAT returns and filling in forms. All this has to be accounted for when setting an hourly rate. Also, why should a skilled tradesman not want a higher rate; like the so-called professional people command?
If you can get a tradesman to charge double the minimum wage, then he's cheap.

But it is feared that stringent enforcement could send many businesses to the wall.

Excuse me? Is the suggestion here that if local businesses are told they have to pay over the VAT which they have taken off their customers to HMRC as required by law rather than keep it for their own use, that they will fail?

I was an Inland Revenue Inspector for 9 years and during that time I don't recall EVER coming across a restaurant or takeaway which was not defrauding the Exchequer. Whether the Government made better use of that money I wouldn't like to say, however.

The first visit should be to Moshi Moshi. What a plank!

They shouldnt be going after the small resturants etc,
They should be looking in HIGH detail about the money and tax avoidence that mp,s and extremerly wealthy people are getting away with!
Makes me sick !

I'm an accountant . In 30 years I have never come across a tradesman who has asked, - how can I pay the maximum tax to help all those people who won't work, but just claim benefits.

hursthill wrote:
I'm an accountant . In 30 years I have never come across a tradesman who has asked, - how can I pay the maximum tax to help all those people who won't work, but just claim benefits.

Pensioners seem to make up the largest group of those just claiming benefits.

Personally I would go after accountants, I bet most of them aid and abet tax dodging for themselves and their clients. It is white collar crime that more than anything is holding this country back.

Maxwell's Ghost wrote:
Give us a phone number where readers can report cash in hand workmen.

If you care to wander your mouse a bit further and do a bit of searching yourself you would discover that there is a hotline to do just that.

http://search2.hmrc.
gov.uk/kb5/hmrc/cont
actus/view.page?reco
rd=tRNNy6edopA&title
index=2

I could do that but as the story is about tax fraud one would hope that the paper could have just added one on the end of the story.
It may encourage people to pick up the phone.

they could visit traveller sites as well. Along with Tv licence and school attendance

Tax fraud hotline
Telephone
Tax Evasion Hotline

A confidential phone line for you to report somebody who is not paying their fair share of tax.

This telephone number ONLY deals with tax evasion reporting. It does not deal with questions about taxes, duty or benefits, including tax credits.

Opening hours
8.00 am to 6.00 pm Monday to Friday (If you call before 9.00 am your call may be answered more quickly)
Closed Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays

0800 788 887

Simples!

taxi drivers are the worst.

a person wrote:
They could also check out all the self employed workmen.

Including builders , roofers , plasterers etc .
nearly all want paying paid in cash ,

Their reason usually being
“we don’t get holiday pay and sick pay“.
So they don’t think they should declare all their money.
They don’t seem to consider the fact that they do use the national health service,

The thing is a lot of employees don’t go sick, and the workmen charge a lot more than the minimum wage .

If everybody paid their fair share of tax and national insurance ,the country would be better off.

Absolute bolleaux. Most tradesmen pay their fair share of tax, and work **** hard to earn a crust. Don't begrudge them a cash job, especially if you want it done now and at a discount. By the way, how much do you reckon a self emplyed tradesmean should earn? £10 an hour? Less? To people like you, we are just "workmen" and you want to get away with paying peanuts. And when you pay peanuts, you whinge when you get a botched job.

Maxwell's Ghost wrote:
Give us a phone number where readers can report cash in hand workmen.

Give us a number where we can report self-righteous windbags like you.

HMRC will have access to Data that they can use for example if a Restaurant buys X amount of produce they will expect a certain return.As for Moshi Moshi if you have an income you pay Tax.I looked at Leasing that particular Building in the late 90s and the Rent and Rates were astronomical.How business people expect to break even let alone make a profit is beyond me.

Pork bloat taken some cash jobs and not declared it.
I am sick of paying for freeloaders like you with your snout in the trough of greed.
Pay your way.

Tax avoidance isn't illegal. It's a way of getting round paying tax by legal means. Labour had many years in power to close any loopholes, but chose not to, as all Governments seem to have avoided doing. The thing about these tax avoidance schemes is that they are completely transparent, if distasteful to many.

On the other hand, simply hiding what you earn in order to avoid paying tax is criminal. VAT doesn't belong to anyone, it should be a simple pass through to the tax man. Anyone self employed already gets special conditions, i.e. the ability to claim tax allowances for anything to do with their job, and a lower rate of tax anyway. There's nothing to complain about there, just pay your way. Every time a tradesman takes cash and doesn't declare it, or a restaurant worker gets cash without declaring the exact amount, they are stealing from the rest of us and ensuring that taxes remain high.

Plantpot wrote:
Tax avoidance isn't illegal. It's a way of getting round paying tax by legal means. Labour had many years in power to close any loopholes, but chose not to, as all Governments seem to have avoided doing. The thing about these tax avoidance schemes is that they are completely transparent, if distasteful to many.

On the other hand, simply hiding what you earn in order to avoid paying tax is criminal. VAT doesn't belong to anyone, it should be a simple pass through to the tax man. Anyone self employed already gets special conditions, i.e. the ability to claim tax allowances for anything to do with their job, and a lower rate of tax anyway. There's nothing to complain about there, just pay your way. Every time a tradesman takes cash and doesn't declare it, or a restaurant worker gets cash without declaring the exact amount, they are stealing from the rest of us and ensuring that taxes remain high.

Hmm, Jimmy Carr's tax 'avoidance' scheme wasn't legal nor was it transparent (1% tax). Same goes for Vodafone's tax 'avoidance' which allowed them to underpay £6b until they were caught out, (and then let off by a minister). See also Amazon syphoning about 200 schools and hospitals out of our economy every year (less than 1% tax).

Nearly all FTSE100 companies go to court with the HMRC each year to 'negotiate' their tax 'avoidance' schemes. The rest of us don't get that luxury.

I do hope that the HMRC are going to visit all the multinantional chains in Brighton too. Some of them end up paying much less tax than family run businesses as they can syphon all their earnings off to tax havens.

One law for the rich and one law for the hard working local business people. Free market capitalism in action.

Fercri Sakes wrote:

Plantpot wrote:
Tax avoidance isn't illegal. It's a way of getting round paying tax by legal means. Labour had many years in power to close any loopholes, but chose not to, as all Governments seem to have avoided doing. The thing about these tax avoidance schemes is that they are completely transparent, if distasteful to many.

On the other hand, simply hiding what you earn in order to avoid paying tax is criminal. VAT doesn't belong to anyone, it should be a simple pass through to the tax man. Anyone self employed already gets special conditions, i.e. the ability to claim tax allowances for anything to do with their job, and a lower rate of tax anyway. There's nothing to complain about there, just pay your way. Every time a tradesman takes cash and doesn't declare it, or a restaurant worker gets cash without declaring the exact amount, they are stealing from the rest of us and ensuring that taxes remain high.

Hmm, Jimmy Carr's tax 'avoidance' scheme wasn't legal nor was it transparent (1% tax). Same goes for Vodafone's tax 'avoidance' which allowed them to underpay £6b until they were caught out, (and then let off by a minister). See also Amazon syphoning about 200 schools and hospitals out of our economy every year (less than 1% tax).

Nearly all FTSE100 companies go to court with the HMRC each year to 'negotiate' their tax 'avoidance' schemes. The rest of us don't get that luxury.

I do hope that the HMRC are going to visit all the multinantional chains in Brighton too. Some of them end up paying much less tax than family run businesses as they can syphon all their earnings off to tax havens.

One law for the rich and one law for the hard working local business people. Free market capitalism in action.

Sorry, as Plantpot wrote, tax avoidance isn't illegal. What Jimmy Carr did was not illegal. It may have been unfair and he may have been a hypocrite, but what he chose to do, i.e. loan himself money from his own company, was not illegal. Tax evasion is illegal i.e. not paying tax that is due. I do agree though that a) tax avoidance loopholes should be closed and b) it still is one rule for the rich and one for the poor, and this needs to be changed.

Why on earth do people do something illeagle then write it down in a book? If you don't write it down nobody will be any the wiser.You would have thought they would have learnt from Al Capone's mistake. He got 11 years for tax evasion because he kept books What a plonker1

Nick Brighton wrote:

Fercri Sakes wrote:

Plantpot wrote:
Tax avoidance isn't illegal. It's a way of getting round paying tax by legal means. Labour had many years in power to close any loopholes, but chose not to, as all Governments seem to have avoided doing. The thing about these tax avoidance schemes is that they are completely transparent, if distasteful to many.

On the other hand, simply hiding what you earn in order to avoid paying tax is criminal. VAT doesn't belong to anyone, it should be a simple pass through to the tax man. Anyone self employed already gets special conditions, i.e. the ability to claim tax allowances for anything to do with their job, and a lower rate of tax anyway. There's nothing to complain about there, just pay your way. Every time a tradesman takes cash and doesn't declare it, or a restaurant worker gets cash without declaring the exact amount, they are stealing from the rest of us and ensuring that taxes remain high.

Hmm, Jimmy Carr's tax 'avoidance' scheme wasn't legal nor was it transparent (1% tax). Same goes for Vodafone's tax 'avoidance' which allowed them to underpay £6b until they were caught out, (and then let off by a minister). See also Amazon syphoning about 200 schools and hospitals out of our economy every year (less than 1% tax).

Nearly all FTSE100 companies go to court with the HMRC each year to 'negotiate' their tax 'avoidance' schemes. The rest of us don't get that luxury.

I do hope that the HMRC are going to visit all the multinantional chains in Brighton too. Some of them end up paying much less tax than family run businesses as they can syphon all their earnings off to tax havens.

One law for the rich and one law for the hard working local business people. Free market capitalism in action.

Sorry, as Plantpot wrote, tax avoidance isn't illegal. What Jimmy Carr did was not illegal. It may have been unfair and he may have been a hypocrite, but what he chose to do, i.e. loan himself money from his own company, was not illegal. Tax evasion is illegal i.e. not paying tax that is due. I do agree though that a) tax avoidance loopholes should be closed and b) it still is one rule for the rich and one for the poor, and this needs to be changed.

Re: Jimmy Carr tax avoidance legality. From The Guardian at the time:

"HMRC said it was currently investigating whether the scheme was technically legal."

Do you know whether HMRC have made their minds up about the legality of this? If they say it's illegal Carr (and three of Take That) will not face criminal proceedings, they'll just have to cough up more tax.

"If you're rich, don't look at it as tax avoidance, look at it as a children's hospital buying you a pool table."

In tomorrow's ARGUS.... Police are going to have smash crack down on.....?????

Let's print it 24hrs in advance in the local rag and give them all time to do a runner! Dooh!!!

What about the real legal tax evaders.Billions in offshore accounts but still living mainly in London.Government knows who they are but prefer easy targets who hardly make any money.

Fercri Sakes wrote:

Nick Brighton wrote:

Fercri Sakes wrote:

Plantpot wrote:
Tax avoidance isn't illegal. It's a way of getting round paying tax by legal means. Labour had many years in power to close any loopholes, but chose not to, as all Governments seem to have avoided doing. The thing about these tax avoidance schemes is that they are completely transparent, if distasteful to many.

On the other hand, simply hiding what you earn in order to avoid paying tax is criminal. VAT doesn't belong to anyone, it should be a simple pass through to the tax man. Anyone self employed already gets special conditions, i.e. the ability to claim tax allowances for anything to do with their job, and a lower rate of tax anyway. There's nothing to complain about there, just pay your way. Every time a tradesman takes cash and doesn't declare it, or a restaurant worker gets cash without declaring the exact amount, they are stealing from the rest of us and ensuring that taxes remain high.

Hmm, Jimmy Carr's tax 'avoidance' scheme wasn't legal nor was it transparent (1% tax). Same goes for Vodafone's tax 'avoidance' which allowed them to underpay £6b until they were caught out, (and then let off by a minister). See also Amazon syphoning about 200 schools and hospitals out of our economy every year (less than 1% tax).

Nearly all FTSE100 companies go to court with the HMRC each year to 'negotiate' their tax 'avoidance' schemes. The rest of us don't get that luxury.

I do hope that the HMRC are going to visit all the multinantional chains in Brighton too. Some of them end up paying much less tax than family run businesses as they can syphon all their earnings off to tax havens.

One law for the rich and one law for the hard working local business people. Free market capitalism in action.

Sorry, as Plantpot wrote, tax avoidance isn't illegal. What Jimmy Carr did was not illegal. It may have been unfair and he may have been a hypocrite, but what he chose to do, i.e. loan himself money from his own company, was not illegal. Tax evasion is illegal i.e. not paying tax that is due. I do agree though that a) tax avoidance loopholes should be closed and b) it still is one rule for the rich and one for the poor, and this needs to be changed.

Re: Jimmy Carr tax avoidance legality. From The Guardian at the time:

"HMRC said it was currently investigating whether the scheme was technically legal."

Do you know whether HMRC have made their minds up about the legality of this? If they say it's illegal Carr (and three of Take That) will not face criminal proceedings, they'll just have to cough up more tax.

"If you're rich, don't look at it as tax avoidance, look at it as a children's hospital buying you a pool table."

Thanks for making my point for me. Jimmy Carr's tax arrangements are transparent, i.e. he's not hiding what he does from HMRC. He's declaring his income but using a scheme to try to avoid paying tax. If HMRC declare it illegal, he has choices, whether to fight the decision, or pay the tax he is judged to owe. Those same choices would be offered to you as well. Where HMRC het hacked off is when you try and hide stuff, knowing full well that what you are doing is illegal.

Regards the multinationals, tax law is complex, when operations and payments take place across the globe. If arrangements were clear cut, there would be no need for negotiation between HMRC and the multinationals. Cannot see why this is an issue.

Plantpot wrote:

Fercri Sakes wrote:

Nick Brighton wrote:

Fercri Sakes wrote:

Plantpot wrote: Tax avoidance isn't illegal. It's a way of getting round paying tax by legal means. Labour had many years in power to close any loopholes, but chose not to, as all Governments seem to have avoided doing. The thing about these tax avoidance schemes is that they are completely transparent, if distasteful to many. On the other hand, simply hiding what you earn in order to avoid paying tax is criminal. VAT doesn't belong to anyone, it should be a simple pass through to the tax man. Anyone self employed already gets special conditions, i.e. the ability to claim tax allowances for anything to do with their job, and a lower rate of tax anyway. There's nothing to complain about there, just pay your way. Every time a tradesman takes cash and doesn't declare it, or a restaurant worker gets cash without declaring the exact amount, they are stealing from the rest of us and ensuring that taxes remain high.

Hmm, Jimmy Carr's tax 'avoidance' scheme wasn't legal nor was it transparent (1% tax). Same goes for Vodafone's tax 'avoidance' which allowed them to underpay £6b until they were caught out, (and then let off by a minister). See also Amazon syphoning about 200 schools and hospitals out of our economy every year (less than 1% tax). Nearly all FTSE100 companies go to court with the HMRC each year to 'negotiate' their tax 'avoidance' schemes. The rest of us don't get that luxury. I do hope that the HMRC are going to visit all the multinantional chains in Brighton too. Some of them end up paying much less tax than family run businesses as they can syphon all their earnings off to tax havens. One law for the rich and one law for the hard working local business people. Free market capitalism in action.

Sorry, as Plantpot wrote, tax avoidance isn't illegal. What Jimmy Carr did was not illegal. It may have been unfair and he may have been a hypocrite, but what he chose to do, i.e. loan himself money from his own company, was not illegal. Tax evasion is illegal i.e. not paying tax that is due. I do agree though that a) tax avoidance loopholes should be closed and b) it still is one rule for the rich and one for the poor, and this needs to be changed.

Re: Jimmy Carr tax avoidance legality. From The Guardian at the time: "HMRC said it was currently investigating whether the scheme was technically legal." Do you know whether HMRC have made their minds up about the legality of this? If they say it's illegal Carr (and three of Take That) will not face criminal proceedings, they'll just have to cough up more tax. "If you're rich, don't look at it as tax avoidance, look at it as a children's hospital buying you a pool table."

Thanks for making my point for me. Jimmy Carr's tax arrangements are transparent, i.e. he's not hiding what he does from HMRC. He's declaring his income but using a scheme to try to avoid paying tax. If HMRC declare it illegal, he has choices, whether to fight the decision, or pay the tax he is judged to owe. Those same choices would be offered to you as well. Where HMRC het hacked off is when you try and hide stuff, knowing full well that what you are doing is illegal. Regards the multinationals, tax law is complex, when operations and payments take place across the globe. If arrangements were clear cut, there would be no need for negotiation between HMRC and the multinationals. Cannot see why this is an issue.

It's always the way the rich and powerful get their way, whilst the every day working person is shafted!!! I'm sure the businsesses in question do pay tax, but how much, and I'm sure they are seen as easy targets. Of course letting off huge companies such as Vodafone with low tax payments happens all the time, and that is the problem. As is people like Jimmy carr. The guy is a greedy selfish pompous horrible person. He must have earned millions by now and then is so greedy wants to avoid paying tax he should have paid. Government needs to close down the loopholes. Tax Havens are another problem.

As for tradesmen, I don't see an issue with them doing cash jobs, they are just trying to earn a living. Again seen as an easy target, are now on the HMRC's hit list. I pay for cash in hand jobs. Dont feel guilty at all.


It's the rich earning millions avoiding tax and the big companies let off from paying big amounts of tax that is the problem here. But as we know, the easy targets are always targeted most of the time.

Maxwell's Ghost wrote:
Pork bloat taken some cash jobs and not declared it.
I am sick of paying for freeloaders like you with your snout in the trough of greed.
Pay your way.

One man's "greed" is another man getting paid what he's worth. I know how to spend my money better than the thieving government. I've paid more than my fair share in taxes to support layabouts like you. Carry on handing over your hard earned cash to the Royal family and the parasite politicians, I'll be laughing at you as I count my wads of undeclared income.

Plantpot wrote:
Tax avoidance isn't illegal. It's a way of getting round paying tax by legal means. Labour had many years in power to close any loopholes, but chose not to, as all Governments seem to have avoided doing. The thing about these tax avoidance schemes is that they are completely transparent, if distasteful to many.

On the other hand, simply hiding what you earn in order to avoid paying tax is criminal. VAT doesn't belong to anyone, it should be a simple pass through to the tax man. Anyone self employed already gets special conditions, i.e. the ability to claim tax allowances for anything to do with their job, and a lower rate of tax anyway. There's nothing to complain about there, just pay your way. Every time a tradesman takes cash and doesn't declare it, or a restaurant worker gets cash without declaring the exact amount, they are stealing from the rest of us and ensuring that taxes remain high.

Yeah, right. And if everyone declared every single penny, do you think YOU would be better off, and your tax bill would be lower? Bull shyte. The greedy, thieving government would still steal your hard earned cash and waste it on something else, or find a way of claiming it to line their own pockets.

Fercri Sakes wrote:

Plantpot wrote:
Tax avoidance isn't illegal. It's a way of getting round paying tax by legal means. Labour had many years in power to close any loopholes, but chose not to, as all Governments seem to have avoided doing. The thing about these tax avoidance schemes is that they are completely transparent, if distasteful to many.

On the other hand, simply hiding what you earn in order to avoid paying tax is criminal. VAT doesn't belong to anyone, it should be a simple pass through to the tax man. Anyone self employed already gets special conditions, i.e. the ability to claim tax allowances for anything to do with their job, and a lower rate of tax anyway. There's nothing to complain about there, just pay your way. Every time a tradesman takes cash and doesn't declare it, or a restaurant worker gets cash without declaring the exact amount, they are stealing from the rest of us and ensuring that taxes remain high.

Hmm, Jimmy Carr's tax 'avoidance' scheme wasn't legal nor was it transparent (1% tax). Same goes for Vodafone's tax 'avoidance' which allowed them to underpay £6b until they were caught out, (and then let off by a minister). See also Amazon syphoning about 200 schools and hospitals out of our economy every year (less than 1% tax).

Nearly all FTSE100 companies go to court with the HMRC each year to 'negotiate' their tax 'avoidance' schemes. The rest of us don't get that luxury.

I do hope that the HMRC are going to visit all the multinantional chains in Brighton too. Some of them end up paying much less tax than family run businesses as they can syphon all their earnings off to tax havens.

One law for the rich and one law for the hard working local business people. Free market capitalism in action.

Spot on. And the numpties think that self employed tradesmen doing a cash job now and again are the problem.

Maxwell's Ghost wrote:
Pork bloat taken some cash jobs and not declared it.
I am sick of paying for freeloaders like you with your snout in the trough of greed.
Pay your way.

No your not "sick of it". I bet you'd never given it a minutes thought until you saw it in The Argus.

Sussex jim wrote:
Self -employed workmen have certain overheads like tools, their own van, public liability insurance, etc. And they spend their own time doing quotes, VAT returns and filling in forms. All this has to be accounted for when setting an hourly rate. Also, why should a skilled tradesman not want a higher rate; like the so-called professional people command?
If you can get a tradesman to charge double the minimum wage, then he's cheap.

Most people have their own cars to get them to work.
That is no different to a tradesmen having a van .

I have nothing against skilled tradesmen wanting a higher rate .
I just think they should pay tax and national insurance as well.

Years ago I knew a self employed man that never disclosed what he actually earned to the tax man. When he wanted to buy his own house the building society would not lend him the money as they said he would not be able to afford the repayments.
Of course if he had been honest he would have got a mortgage right away.

PorkBoat wrote:

a person wrote:
They could also check out all the self employed workmen.

Including builders , roofers , plasterers etc .
nearly all want paying paid in cash ,

Their reason usually being
“we don’t get holiday pay and sick pay“.
So they don’t think they should declare all their money.
They don’t seem to consider the fact that they do use the national health service,

The thing is a lot of employees don’t go sick, and the workmen charge a lot more than the minimum wage .

If everybody paid their fair share of tax and national insurance ,the country would be better off.

Absolute bolleaux. Most tradesmen pay their fair share of tax, and work **** hard to earn a crust. Don't begrudge them a cash job, especially if you want it done now and at a discount. By the way, how much do you reckon a self emplyed tradesmean should earn? £10 an hour? Less? To people like you, we are just "workmen" and you want to get away with paying peanuts. And when you pay peanuts, you whinge when you get a botched job.

My use of the word “workmen” is all men who work ,regardless of their job.
You could say that most people work hard to earn a crust ,but employees
have to pay tax and national insurance .
Why should I think it ok for self employed people not to pay what they owe.
Should they get free shopping at the supermarkets as well ?

I do believe a self employed tradesman should charge a fair price for a good job, that is why if I need someone I look on checkatrade.
I would not pay peanuts as I do not want monkeys doing the job.

a person wrote:

PorkBoat wrote:

a person wrote:
They could also check out all the self employed workmen.

Including builders , roofers , plasterers etc .
nearly all want paying paid in cash ,

Their reason usually being
“we don’t get holiday pay and sick pay“.
So they don’t think they should declare all their money.
They don’t seem to consider the fact that they do use the national health service,

The thing is a lot of employees don’t go sick, and the workmen charge a lot more than the minimum wage .

If everybody paid their fair share of tax and national insurance ,the country would be better off.

Absolute bolleaux. Most tradesmen pay their fair share of tax, and work **** hard to earn a crust. Don't begrudge them a cash job, especially if you want it done now and at a discount. By the way, how much do you reckon a self emplyed tradesmean should earn? £10 an hour? Less? To people like you, we are just "workmen" and you want to get away with paying peanuts. And when you pay peanuts, you whinge when you get a botched job.

My use of the word “workmen” is all men who work ,regardless of their job.
You could say that most people work hard to earn a crust ,but employees
have to pay tax and national insurance .
Why should I think it ok for self employed people not to pay what they owe.
Should they get free shopping at the supermarkets as well ?

I do believe a self employed tradesman should charge a fair price for a good job, that is why if I need someone I look on checkatrade.
I would not pay peanuts as I do not want monkeys doing the job.

Employees pay the full whack of tax and N.I. because they rely on others to tell them what to do, rather than create their own job. Paying as little tax as possible, as a self-employed person is a reward for having the gumption to motivate yourself to work on your own terms. The perks of being an employee are having paid holiday, sick pay and a regular salary. On the down side, most people loathe their jobs, have to take all sorts of shyte from bosses who are on a power and ego trip, and count the minutes until home time. Give me self-employment any day. Yes, I'd love to get free shopping, so would you, and you would if you could. I've as much respect for the thieving supermarket chains as I do for the thieving politicians and parasites of the Royal family, who steal our hard earned cash and spend it like it's going out of fashion.